Assignment: The Illustrator's Oz and Independent Series

Hi everyone,

Please remember to bring the following to our next class...

1) Your OZ sketches

2) A TYPED proposal for your independent series with at least one sketch. Remember- the more work and references you bring us the better!

3) ALL your work from this semester for individual meetings.


The Illustrator’s Oz

Size: determined by artist


One of the hardest challenges for illustrators is the ability reinvent a character or story that has been ingrained into or conscious through movies and pop culture. Alice In Wonderland will soon have a new interpretation of the classic story on the big screen, and famous literary characters from Robin Hood to Dracula have been reinvented constantly in the past.
It is not uncommon for today’s concept artists, illustrators, and other artists to be put in charge of these fresh interpretations. How do we make something new and sparkly? Interesting? Different?

Your goal will be to create an illustration based on your original interpretation of Oz and its characters. This could be something as simple as giving a new stylistic approach to the environments and Dorothy…or you could make drastic changes like making the cast into a new futuristic superhero team. The decision is yours.



Sketches Due: 2-3 well-developed sketches on Mar 9th (Please bring a piece to hang on the
third floor, too)

Final Due: Mar 23rd (Spring Break!)


Independent Series: Proposal


The final four weeks of Illustration IV are dedicated to a personal series (usually 3-4 pieces) of your choosing that investigates and explores a particular market, subject, or medium while considering your interests as an illustrator. While one student might work on a series of images for the Sci-fi/Fantasy market, another might use the time to work on large portraits done in oils.

For next week, I would like you to consider a proposal for your independent project. This includes a TYPED paragraph or two to turn into me for my records and at least one detailed sketch to give us a visual clue to what your project would look like. The more preliminary work you bring in, the more your classmates and I can help you develop your idea and identify any problems or untapped potential.

Think about what element(s) unites these images. Who is your audience? How would they relate to you as an artist in the professional world? What medium are you choosing? How many pieces will you do? How big are they?

April 6th- May 4th will be dedicated to this project. It will be due May 4th.


Sketches Due: at least 1 well-developed sketch on Mar 9th

*Changes and final idea should be decided upon no later than March 23rd